It is easy enough to forget about romance. Sometimes we are pulled in too many directions and there simply is no time. Or perhaps we just convince ourselves that is true.

But beauty doesn't ask much of us -- just a moment to enjoy.

A deep breath to take in all that lies around us.

A few moments in time to remember that we once wanted to be a fairy princess or the knight in shining armor.

Mischa Ethereal Islands from Trompe Loeil for Uber. Floating island, lamp post and roses with candles come in a set. Lounger with many many texture options can be purchased separately or with island. Both PG and A versions available.

Valentine's may have passed but there is still plenty of romance at Uber!

This lovely strapless gown with optional collar comes in many lovely colors including rose. Find it at the Baiastice booth. Perfect for dancing, the full skirt glides artfully with each step.

From Cheeky Pea, the Ethereal Arbor Set which has versions for any prim budget. The basic set shown here included the arbor (3 land impact) and the bed with pillows, throws and lighting (10 land impact). A menu let's you add greenery, drapes and some lovely delicate white flowers. These additions will increase the land impact substantially. Both PG and adult versions are available.

It's not quite Spring for those of us in the Northern climes, but it is getting closer every day. Can you feel it? I can!

Sway's has lots of great items to get you in the light and airy moods of the upcoming season.

First up, because we all like a bargain -- Sway's [Floria] Hanging Plants in both five and three pot versions -- rainbow or white. And Sway's texture change [Lemar] Crate Stools -- both sitting style with animations and open to house your "stuff" :D.

Find these out for FIFTY LINDEN FRIDAY.

You can find Sway's Guitar Shelf at Lost and Found. It comes with decor or empty.

WhileSpring is on its way in my neck of the corporeal world, Fall is indeed my favorite season. Over at Saint Pete City, the leaves are golden and falling. The sun is bright, the morning crisp and subtle smoke floats in the air.

The Hipster Fair is all about neon, glow and brilliant hues of glow in the dark paint. I was very happy I had changed into my new Hipster Fair release from Ducknipple BEFORE I visited. Everyone walking around was, indeed, "hip" -- or at least they LOOKED hip *wink*.

The complete outfit is an exclusive fair release and even includes jewelry (earrings too) and some great rigged boots that work perfectly with the jeans and fit Maitreya -- and likely many other bodies as well as the default avatar. Just turn on the new alpha for feet and you are set.

Very convincing fringe adds a finishing touch to the nicely designed draped vest with tank (a combo).

Some luscious color combos make up the new Cheeky Pea Spring Shaded Garden Snug out for LTD. Add one of the new Opened Back Blouses from MYNX (tons of colors AND sizes) to make a perfect pairing while we wait for Spring.

The Snug weighs in at a mere 10 land impact and boasts a lattice shade roof. Perfect for quiet conversations.

And then there is the back of the blouse. Buttons add a special touch.

{MYNX} Heart Hoop earrings add an extra touch of romance; and we can all use romance!

It is Sunday afternoon and both bloggers and designers fill seats at the theater hosted on Hope 5 by Prim and Pixel to learn about blogs and bloggers.

* * * * * * * * *

Now most of you know that I have been building as long as I have been blogging. I am not a top tier creator but my SL earnings pay a good percentage of my monthly bills.

I have well over 5,000 SL blog post under my belt.

So "who" showed up at the event. Chic the builder or Chic the blogger?

The blogger won. Happily the sim was running well and typing was quick and easy. Quite a few of us had things to say as our fingers replied to the voice conversations going on.

We spent most of the hour talking about how to find "niche" bloggers, specifically for Cain Maven of Maven Homes who builds some incredibly lovely -- and large -- homes.

It is difficult sometimes with one leg in the designer world and the other in that of the press. I usually find myself defending the bloggers though. I don't think designers as a whole understand "us" all that well. Happily I have a great group of folks that I blog for. I like their work. They like mine. I tend to believe we respect each other.

The details of the conversations aren't all that important; they seemed both fair and balanced. While I suspect that I am an atypical blogger -- keeping only those things that I know I might use in the future or are just too wonderfully nichey (yep, I know that isn't a word but it should be). Still we are not all greedy folks who just want to stuff our inventories to see who can reach 150,000 items first.

Cain was generally upset that his houses often become the backdrop for furnishing, fashion and OMG skin posts. Now, I am REALLY smiling here as I was undoubtedly in that list of sinners. A year ago, the DAY I got my Maitreya body, I did a blog post on one of his smaller houses. And yes, I was showing off my new body, so in love with it. You could of course see the house prominently in many photos taken and it may have generated some sales or interest. At least I didn't fill it with furniture and decor.

I take no offense whatsoever at being one of his failed blogging attempts (my words, not his at all). And again, I am still smiling.

So THAT'S the story behind the post of yesterday -- which as of this writing I have not done. I am heading over to Expo now completely clothed and with no intent at all to even be IN THE PHOTO. And perhaps, this time, I'll do a better job *wink*.

Afterwards:

Now I don't think anyone will understand why a blogger blog, what drives us and calls us with a Siren's song. No doubt we each have our own reasons.

I enjoyed my Architectural Digest-esce photo shoot yesterday eve. On many levels, it had me smiling -- and I sometimes forget that part of the puzzle.

My post turned out more like a poem than an ad, which seemed to be what was wanted. But -- at least there was no underwear *wink*.

A few more great things from Shiny Shabby's Anniversary event. I went over Saturday Morning in the early hours and picked up a few more gifts so this won't be my last Shiny Shabby post for sure. Today, with thinning crowds I could even see the new releases -- and that was a treat. What is Second Life without texture?

Honestly there are way too many great gifts at Shiny Shabby(opens at noon) to post them all. I have one more feature after this, but I wanted to show you my personal favorites.

[ hoorenbeek ] Mesh Military Boots, boot jeans and belt. These are unisex and I am wearing the smallest size. I need a bit more "bum" as my surrogate mom would say but most of you have that :D. Great for guys too. Boots in third photo.

N-Uno - Leather Bag - Brown A really fun Boho bag!

=DeLa*= Fitted Mesh Hair "Lila" (most in fantasy colors; this is the one "natural" :D)

It has taken me most of the afternoon to unpack and coordinate. And of
course some designers weren't set up for blogger preview day so I am
missing their presents. But here are a few. More tomorrow, so stay
tuned.

My old blogger buddy Wonder did a little hunting last weekend. Here are his personal picks from the Jack and Jill Hunt and the Menstuff Hunt. He didn't hit all the shops, so this isn't a definitive listing by any means.

At the top of his list is this great jacket and underlayers (hoodie plus tank) from Rispetto Designs, the Devin Jacket (Jack and Jill).

His jeans are from HORR on the Menstuff Hunt.

Skin from 7 Deadly Skins on the Jack and Jill Hunt and hair from Rawhouse on the Menstuff Hunt get him updated nicely.

The guitar pose prop (with guitar rezzer and music) hales from RnB on the Jack or Jill hunt.

We tend to think of love as girlie, pretty pinks, hearts, flowers, "bunnies" :D. And it IS all that.

But the Y chromosome set loves too. They don't always show it the way gals do; you have to read between the lines --- a lot. But once you understand the language of that manly kind of love, it's easy enough to live with and smile from time to time.

You may think you have everything you need OR you make your own home and garden items.

It's true that you won't find your next pair of stilettos or that new updo hair you have been looking for, but you would be surprised what is hiding out among the cottages, mansions and tons of furnishings and decor.

Did you ever want to grow a garden? Well even if you live in a small apartment in the city -- you CAN. Virtually that is. You will need land of course, but a new adventure might be just what you need. Head over to Hope 6.

My Expo plot is right next to the Breedables Fair and of course I couldn't help camming over to watch what was going on there.

This is Grizelle. Isn't she C-U-T-E!

So perhaps a pet might be in your future.

I love Pearl. She is such a GOOD kitty.

Hope 10 is where you'll find your new best friend.

Over at Hope 3 you can find full perm items including textures, mesh and animations.

This modular closet set is one of the many items available at Fabric Lab - Hope 3